Journal articles on the topic 'Microfinance Bangladesh Case studies'

Most of the earlier studies examined the impact of microfinance on poverty reduction. Few studies emphasized on the broader policy framework and implementation process—the actors and factors associated with the process, which are critical to make an impact. This study is an attempt to explore whether public microfinance service reaches to the poorest through qualitative case study evidence. Some quantitative studies argued that non-profit-oriented Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have greater outreach than profit-oriented MFIs. This study argues that even the non-profit MFIs could not reach to the poorest through adoption of neoliberal governmentality by demonstrating the Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB), a public organization dedicated for poverty reduction in Bangladesh, as a case. The study found that neoliberal policy of market solution of poverty problem provides a financial market for the better off instead of the poor.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine two interventions toward women’s empowerment in Bangladesh – formal employment and microfinance, and to highlight two case studies supporting these interventions. Design/methodology/approach This interpretive-evaluative inquiry of the state of employment and microfinance as important interventions in women’s empowerment in Bangladesh is based on both primary and secondary sources. Theoretical insights and empirical evidence from previous research along with data from various sources inform the arguments. Findings Bangladeshi women are making steady progress toward empowerment through a gradual increase in female participation in the workforce, especially in the ready-made garment manufacturing sector. The expanding microfinance arena has also been providing a growing number of women the opportunity to undertake productive small-scale business ventures that also provide informal employment to unemployed women in rural areas. However, social and cultural constraints and overt conservatism has been a daunting challenge for enterprising women and those in formal employment continue to suffer from discrimination, harassment and unfavorable working conditions. Originality/value The paper will be of value to both researchers and policy makers in Bangladesh as it seeks to relate two specific interventions toward women’s empowerment from a broad conceptual perspective and interpretive analysis.

Microfinance is considered to be the panacea for eradicating poverty from third-world society and this claim by non-government organizations (NGOs) is not unfounded. Evidence from Bangladesh reveals a partial success with respect to this viewpoint. Bangladesh is a poverty-ridden country; however, poor people in rural Bangladesh have shown significant material gains with regard to their lifestyles and it is no longer the case that they only have the bare minimum of food. Despite this significant improvement, it is still confusing as to whether these people have managed to cross the poverty line or not. Data show that poor people never stop borrowing money from the NGOs. The cycle of taking and retaking has made them dependent rather than independent agents in their society. With this viewpoint under consideration, this article seeks to explain the chronological sequence of events involved in taking credit. The ontological position of this study is interpretative in nature and such a position has allowed us to employ both observation and case studies as methodological tools for analysing our area of interest. Finally, this article argues that in order to understand the role of microfinance in Bangladeshi society, rethinking is required.

This article constitutes a summary of the literatures and practices on the microfinance industry and its contribution, the status of people with disabilities (PWDs), and the case studies for financial inclusion in Bangladesh. Many Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are operating to serve all segments of the clients for financial inclusion. People with Disabilities encounter several exclusions in the mainstream microfinance institutions in Bangladesh. At the same time, MFIs faces numerous challenges to serve these people. Even if it is not a formal analysis, it is still found that PWDs encounter tremendous discrimination such as social, political, physical, cultural, environmental; serious barriers including formal and self-employment, less access to credit, government support and social safety net system. On the other hand, these people often put themselves into ‘benefit traps’. Microfinance institutions do not realize that many disabled people are economically active, that disabled customers expect service, and do not know how to adapt products for disabled people. The profitable partnership between MFIs and Disabled People’s Organization (DPOs) are absent in practice. The government’s social safety nets programme is also very limited. Economic rehabilitation would come into progress when integration happens by blending social protection and necessary resources for income generation.

Poverty is economic, social, political and even moral issue all over the world. Microfinance has been designed to eliminate poverty and may help marginal people to materialize their dreams. Microfinance has been formalized primarily in Bangladesh with this concept. Grameen Bank (GB) has been serving large number of people below poverty level here. Initially, microfinance institutions have been supported by the Government or Donor assuming its positive impact on borrowers. However, ambiguous impacts have been reported in several studies that make microfinance questionable. Therefore, this study intent to measure the impact of microfinance on GB borrowers through the process of qualitative changes in borrowers lives. The process has been measured by some case studies for participant and non-participant borrowers using Modified Household Economic Portfolio Model (M - HEPM). Our qualitative analysis shows that microfinance makes positive changes in the process of borrowers lives observed through financial and activity diaries of the borrowers.

Women constitute not only half of the world’s population, but also sway the growth of the other half. They produce half of the world’s food supply and account for 60% of the work force, but comprise 10% of the world’s economy and surprisingly own less than 1% of the real estate. They have little access to productive resources and negligible control over family income. This discrimination is the consequence of gender bias which forms an inherent part of the global society. Examples from survey will validate the statement. The index ranking of 151 countries on gender inequality in addressing poverty, education, basic health, employment (income), violence and political participation, contained in various Human Development Report prepared by the United Nations Development Program since 1995 till 2003, shows that “no country treat women as well as men.” Despite such investments in time and labour by women, why is there so much discrimination, inequality and why are women termed as “poorest of the poor”? The main objective of this paper is to focus on women in enterprise development in Bangladesh. However, before going into the main area, the paper tries to analyze the need and reasons for micro-enterprise development of women. The paper is divided into three main sections. The first section deals with a brief discussion on the status of women and poverty in Bangladesh. The second section focuses on women and micro- enterprise development. The third section discusses the problems faced by women in enterprise development. The fourth section focuses on the interventions required to enhance women entrepreneurship development. The last section deals with the future provisions. The paper is prepared mainly on the basis of secondary information, review of previous research work, the author’s own experience and knowledge on women enterprise on some case studies of the positive and negative effects of microenterprise of women.

ABSTRAK Pengelolaan pembangunan desa islami adalah konsep pembangunan desa yang memiliki karakteristik tercapainya tujuan pembangunan sosial ekonomi yang berdimensi holistik, seimbang antara aspek material dan spiritual. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pembahasan kajian-kajian terdahulu secara sistematis tentang konsep dan praktik pengelolaan pembangunan desa dalam perspektif islam. Dalam rangka melakukan review publikasi artikel secara sistematis, riset ini menggunakan standar protokol RAMESES. Hasil penelitian ini terbagi menjadi dua tema utama, yaitu peran dan fungsi lembaga keuangan mikro syariah dalam pembangunan desa dan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat dalam pengelolaan pembangunan desa. Tema pertama menghasilkan tiga subtema: praksis keuangan mikro syariah di Bangladesh, Malaysia, dan Indonesia. Tema kedua menghasilkan satu subtema yaitu peranan Pesantren dalam mendukung pengelolaan pembangunan desa. Hasilnya memberikan landasan untuk mengisi ruang-ruang yang belum dimasuki untuk membangun pengelolaan pembangunan desa yang komprehensif berdasarkan prinsip atau nilai Islam yang ideal. Kata kunci: Islami, Pengelolaan Pembangunan Desa, Systematic Literature Review. ABSTRACT Islamic village development management is a village development concept that has the characteristics of achieving socio-economic development goals with a holistic dimension, balanced between material and spiritual aspects. This study aims to systematically review the discussion of previous studies on the concepts and practices of village development management from an Islamic perspective. To conduct the article review systematically, this research was carried out using the RAMESES protocol standard. The results of this study are divided into two main themes, namely the role and function of Islamic microfinance institutions in village development and non-governmental organizations in managing village development. 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Solidarity economy theory has challenged the ideology and agenda of neoliberalism since the 1980s. However, are the two theories always opposed? For example, microcredit is often assessed positively as a practice of solidarity economy because it targets beneficiaries who are generally excluded or marginalised from a traditional financial infrastructure and enhances solidarity and reciprocity between people. However, other researchers have criticised it as an instrument for promoting and sustaining neoliberal politico-economic restructuring. This paper examines whether microcredit is part of solidarity economy or neoliberalism, using concrete examples of microcredit operations in rural Bangladesh. The following two questions will be addressed, as the tenets and effects of microcredit are judged, as supporting solidarity economy or neoliberalism. (i) Are microcredit services largely provided to economically or/and socially disadvantaged people? (ii) What relationships are built in local society, including microfinance institutions, through microcredit? This paper addresses these questions in field-based micro-level case studies and field data. In this examination, the paper will demonstrate and discuss articulation of the solidarity economy and neoliberalism, as well as how the effects of microcredit can be enhanced as a part of the solidarity economy instead of being an item on the neoliberal agenda.

Although Bangladesh is quite advanced in terms of setting up systems of social safety net (SSN) but the services in dealing climate change has gained little attention. On the other hand some specific public SSN programmes (SSNPs) like Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Food-For-Work (FFW), Rural Employment and Road Maintenance Programme (RERMP) and Chars Livelihood Programme (CLP) through which most distressed and right less poor especially vulnerable rural women are benefitted, not yet tested whether the programmes promoted as climate proofed. Therefore the study was conducted for adapting those four SSNPs in dealing with climate change shocks like cyclone, flood, drought, water logging and salinity for escaping climate vulnerable poor from chronic poverty. Quantitative analysis has been made using the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2010 data set. Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) session and Case Studies were performed for addressing current SSNPs with their weaknesses or effectiveness and scale up potentialities to explore better livelihood and food security options for climate poor. Relevant stakeholders in government and NGO programmes have been consulted to assess the feasibility of options for further strengthening of aforesaid SSNPs. It is found that the SSN intervention with VGD, FFW and RERMP have minimum scope in dealing with climate change although the said tools are important especially to disadvantaged rural women for creating their employment opportunity as well as poverty alleviation. The VGD beneficiaries can properly be engaged to sustainable income generation and microfinance activities for future saving to promote adaptive capacity which would enhance their resiliencies to cope with climate change. The dead or silted-up rivers, canals or ponds and irrigation channels can be excavated or re-excavated by operating the major workfare SSNPs like FFW and the excavated soil can be utilized for creating, maintaining or elevating rural roads, embankment and other infrastructures which are quite crucial for mitigating the flood, storm surge, water logging or salinity issues. The canals or ponds can additionally be utilized for enough harvesting of monsoon rain or flood water thus salinity and drought problems would be minimized for a better agricultural intervention in the affected areas. The RERMP beneficiaries can be engaged to maintain embankments and tree plantation at pond periphery or at barren land with their proper nursing, compost preparation etc. The CLP is found as a concrete example for achieving climate change adaptation to uplift the socio-economic status of chronic poor char dwellers to recurrent floods in Jamuna and Brahmaputra basins. This programme can be extended from an 18-month to a two-year period and should have to spread-up to the chars of other vulnerable flood prone areas of Bangladesh. A good agricultural marketing system is also essential for proper and timely marketing of CLP-products in the locality.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i2.11618 Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-2: 78-92

Purpose This paper aims to identify incidences of default risks in microfinance. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individual borrowers in Grameen Bank. Upon completing the interview session from 40 respondents, the results of the interviews are interpreted by a comprehensive content analysis. Findings This study identifies the incidences of defaults in microfinance, which are post-disbursement monitoring, technical assistance, inexperienced field workers, weekly payment, accessible database, family member illness, hiding business, lack of motivation and over-stretched financial commitments. Among these incidences, the findings indicate that post-disbursement supervision is highly relevant in ensuring the success of microfinance because 80 per cent of the recipients of microfinance are illiterate women. Originality/value This study would be helpful for the investment companies, financial institutions, creditors and borrowers of microfinance. The financial institutions and investment companies need to identify borrower capacity and any obligation that may impede with repayment. It may help them to maximize returns on profit and minimize the risk of losses which contribute to economic growth.

This study explores the experiences of marital violence within the context of microfinance participation among a sample of women living in poverty in Bangladesh. Status inconsistency theory suggests that the higher incomes and female independence that may occur with microfinance participation may threaten or destabilize marital norms in Bangladesh, and have implications in terms of increased violence. We use qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 30 women residing in a slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to assess the circumstances in which there may be an association between microfinance participation and marital violence and elucidate the context in which this interaction occurs.

In this study of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and their participants, we show how certain innovations made by MFIs during the COVID-19 pandemic enable further consolidation of NGOs in Bangladeshi society. The study is based on interviews conducted in 2020 with key personnel from three major NGOs in Bangladesh: Grameen, Sajida Foundation, and Brac (which is also the largest NGO in the world), as well as 20 interviews conducted in 2018 (before the pandemic) with microcredit recipients who use financial services. We observed that MFIs scaled up by taking on the function of relief provision, financial services became more entrenched, and NGO governance was bolstered as MFIs served as intermediaries between the state and people, even though, as the 2018 interviews reveal, microfinance participants were reticent about technology uptake.

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

           Self Help Group (SHG) in its present form of development orientation, owed its origin to the starting of the Grameen Bank, founded by Mohamed Yunus of Bangladesh, the Nobel Prize Winner for Peace for the year 2006. The experience of Bangladesh had proved to the world the banking wisdom in helping the women and the poor people to improve their economic condition and to overcome their problem of poverty.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) focus on understanding the needs of the poor and assisting them to improve their livelihoods by developing the most efficient and effective mechanisms to deliver finance. This case study concentrates on how the Association for Social Advancement, or ASA, approaches working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on microfinance using its diversified service portfolios and operational structures in Bangladesh. The achievements and threats of NGOs have been discussed in terms of current changes and challenges for a microcredit concept to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh.

Studies on Islamic microfinance sustainability and its development are an important contribution to thought in the Islamic finance arena. The concept of Islamic microfinance is relevant given the global socioeconomic problems which have negatively impacted the Muslim ummah (community) and society in general and widened the gap between the poor and the rich. The Muslim ummah is in need of an economy that will bridge the gap between the various strata of society. Islamic microfinance is considered an alternative Sharīʿah-compliant tool for Muslims to redistribute their wealth in a way that will make the nation productive.

The paper aims to discuss the effect of household factors on repayment ability among borrowers of Islamic microfinance in Bangladesh. Cross-sectional survey was used on borrowers who have been involved for more than two years in rural development scheme. Data was collected from 507 households through a close-ended questionnaire. The survey found that household income increased significantly after access to the Islamic microfinance program. The structural equation model analysis shows that household income has a significant positive effect on repayment ability. Household savings and consumption were also found to have a significant positive relationship with household income. Household savings also has a significant positive relationship with repayment ability when it is negative with the household consumption. Unlike conventional studies, this study found that borrowers involved in farm activities have a better repayment ability. The emerging result contributes to the research regarding repayment problems and the findings demonstrate that the adoption of Islamic microfinance could be a better solution. It is also anticipated that the empirical result will contribute to the furtherance of literature on Islamic microfinance.

Poverty is a threat to the world. In its extreme form at any part of the world, it will make endanger rest of the world. In fact, it is the source of crime and the worst form of violence. The poor people do not commit any crime but they get punishment out of being born as a poor that is not controllable in their hand. Microfinance has been designed to eliminate poverty and help marginal and poor people through small income generating activities. The borrowers need capital to materialize their dream, may be in a small amount and microfinance can play important role in this scenario. Through microfinance, small entrepreneurs may acquire necessary inputs to start their business. Both local governments and international agencies are trying to eliminate poverty through microfinance programs, services and guidelines. With this concept, Microfinance has been hosted primarily in Bangladesh. Grameen Bank (GB) has been serving large number of people below poverty level in Bangladesh. However, impact of microfinance is still questionable in several studies. Microfinance used properly and returned back to the lender with stipulated amount and time shows its working effectively for poverty alleviation. Otherwise, there must be loan default and the whole system may be in question. We survey with questionnaire to find out factors contributing to loan default among GB borrowers using binomial logistic regression. The results showed that some factors were crucial for loan default and should be treated properly at the start of lending.

This paper studies microfinance and debt trap nexus. We have used an ethnographic approach, unstructured observation and interviews, to develop scenarios with the help of which we try to explain the phenomenon. Our research was carried out in DipKalaMoral, a small village located in Shikalbaha union under Karnaphuli Upazila of Chittagong in Bangladesh. We have found that excessive leverage through multiple borrowing lead to debt trap when households face unexpected income shocks due to economic cycle, unexpected weather (like heavy monsoon), wedding expenditure or paying dowry, and unexpected healthcare expenditure. In addition to that, we have found that informal money lenders tend to exploit households when households are heavily leveraged. Interestingly, we have identified a new phenomenon, ‘borrowing for others’ when households borrow from Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) to lend money to others. A number of policy measures have been recommended which could be beneficial for policy makers and MFIs.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to document the impact of participation in microfinance programs on domestic violence against women. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses the survey data from 69 villages in Bangladesh and the instrumental variable approach to estimate the effect of participation in microcredit programs on domestic violence. Findings The results show that women’s participation in microcredit programs does not reduce domestic violence. However, this result is possible only when the authors do not distinguish between female borrowers who have control over credit and those who do not have control over credit. Classifying female borrowers into these two categories can significantly change the results. The authors report significantly lower physical violence against those female who have control over credit. In case of psychological violence, the authors report no significant impact of control over microcredit. Originality/value The novelty of the paper lies in distinguishing between physical and psychological violence.

This paper designs a conceptual model of Islamic microfinance and rehabilitation by using the waqf funds for the slum and floating population. It analyzes both the primary and the secondary data on the current status of Islamic microfinance coverage (in thirteen countries), waqf estates (in seven countries), and the slum and floating population in thirty five Muslim countries of the world. The primary data was accumulated on 150 microfinance borrowers and 100 non-borrowers of Bangladesh. This paper presents a multifunctional structure of an autonomous waqf management institution to execute the model of this paper. This institution will be formed by the joint venture of the government, the national, as well as international Islamic agencies. Furthermore, this model will be implemented through five stages, the revival and registration of the waqf estate, accumulation of funds, initiating the Islamic microfinance and rehabilitation for the slum population, and finally, forward linkage that may help the slum people to contribute to the society.

Since 1990, microfinance has gained universal recognition as an essential and useful tool to address the economically productive poor and provide them with a way to come out of the vicious circle of poverty, by delivering loans and credit on flexible terms in contrast to commercial banks. Many studies from different parts of the world have shown significant economic and social uplift of recipients (both men and women) of microfinance programs. However, in recent years, some studies argue against the positive influence of microfinance and stresses that microfinance is commercialized, and it has become more of a profit generation activity than uplifting of the economically productive poor, which is one of many core objective of microfinance organizations. Many empirical studies have been done to know the effects of microfinance on the welfare of households. They are well documented, e.g., in Bangladesh and India, but only a few studies assess the microfinance effect on rural female entrepreneurs of Pakistan. The present study was carried out to empirically analyze the outcome of microfinance on Pakistan’s female entrepreneurs. Women’s empowerment is gauged using income and consumption as welfare indicators. The difference in difference method is applied to investigate the effects of microfinance on its recipients, which is considered a useful tool to tackle the selection bias problem. Our study result shows that microfinance programs that target women not just only increase income and consumption of female borrowers, making them financially stable, but in fact, many local stakeholders also get benefited from it, and in turn, it creates opportunities for the whole local community. However, our results also show that it does not reach to the poorest of poor women (extremely poor) and thus does not serve the purpose of many of its core objectives, i.e., poverty reduction of extremely poor and henceforth should not be relied upon in this perspective.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to study the role of bribery in subsidized credit markets in developing countries. First, the authors use the data to test whether more productive borrowers will pay larger or smaller bribes since the theoretical literature offers conflicting findings regarding the relationship between the size of the bribe and the productivity of borrowers. Second, the authors test whether being eligible to borrow from a microfinance institution affects the frequency or the magnitude of the bribe paid when borrowing from a (non-microfinance) subsidized bank. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis is based on existing theoretical models of bribery. The data set uses publicly available survey data from the Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies. The primary linear model is estimated using OLS. Because left-censoring affects the data, the authors also estimate a Tobit model. Finally, to correct for potential selection bias, the authors also estimate a Heckman selection model. Findings – The authors find that more productive borrowers pay lower bribes than less productive borrowers and that being MFI-eligible affects the frequency of bribery, but not the magnitude of the bribe. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, the paper is the first empirical study of bribery in subsidized credit markets.

Climate change which until recently seemed a luxury for the microfinance sector, now appears to be crucial for the future of the sector. Due to their low adaptive capacity, the millions of MF clients worldwide happen to be the most vulnerable to a changing climate. Adapting previous analysis conducted in Nepal and Bangladesh by Agrawala and Maëlis (2010) to the Brazilian context, in this inductive qualitative study we aim to assess potential synergies between MF and CC actions and what strategies can be harnessed to better respond to CC vulnerabilities at client/MF level. To do so, we investigated the case of the second largest rural microcredit programme in Brazil, Sistema Cresol de Cooperativas de Crédito Rural com Interação Solidária. Albeit important overlaps between Cresol's product envelope and CC strategies exist, there is still room to realise synergies to both mitigate a new potential source of risk to Cresol's portfolio and to increase clients' adaptive capacity.

This study focuses on an in-depth literature review to understand the Islamic microfinance as a system and grameen model as a concept all embedded in ethical concern for shared values. The concept of Grameen model and its ethical behavior have come to the fore in recent years in both developed and developing countries as a result of growing sense of corporate wrongdoing. The paper addresses the Grameen model and its ethical relevance to the benefits and success of Islamic microfinance in modern economy. the Grameen model has always offered the concept of social microfinance and such a model results in a more fulfilling work life and career. It is a radically different approach to doing business that emphasizes making money as its main goal, but not for the sake of wealth alone. In the same sense, Islamic microfinance aimed to focus on profit/loss sharing by using the funds on economic generating, investing and trading activities to make a profit and share that profit with all the depositors and shareholders, whilst protecting the fabric of our society without engaging in activities prohibited and harmful to the society. With this in mind, the entire money-making process can be sanctified so that it becomes a holy and noble pursuits. To achieve the above, this research paper draw lessons from the activities of an impeccable vision and salvaging activities of illustrious personage and veteran of many years standing from Bangladesh in his quest for promoting economic development and eradication of poverty among rural dwellers. This paper considered Islamic microfinance as a tool that could be used to achieve the necessary economic and social security that a country would need today leading to the overall development of humanity. As the western culture offers classic microfinance as the way to do business and in recent years, postmodernism has nominated a new model-microcredit to supersede the statuesque. This study, in general, recommended for the revitalization of Islamic civilization that would geared towards a paradigm shift to now novel concept of spiritual microfinance as a way to stimulate business and get closer to God simultaneously and as well stimulates social entrepreneurs who must focus on the goal of having a healthy income statement and simultaneously championing some sort of social healing enterprise. Keywords: Ethical finance, Investment, Islamic microfinance, microcredit, Shari’ah.

Abstract Microcredit or microfinance are one of the most important novelties on development policy in the last 25 years. Most of the recent studies are based on the impact that microfinance has on poverty reduction or on the income on macroeconomic level. Due to lack of data on microfinance on a macro level, studies of their impact on poverty are limited. However, they have recently analysed the link between microeconomics and microfinance activity, which has shown significant connectivity between the operations of Micro Financial Institutions and Macroeconomic indicators.Microfinance in Albania has developed and this is demonstrated by the presence of Micro Financial Institutions which have contributed to poverty reduction and to economic development in general, and to agricultural development in particular. The purpose of the study is to analyse the importance and the relationship between microfinance and macroeconomic indicators, the impact that microfinance has on macroeconomic indicators. Based on previous literature researchers and empirical studies, this study aims to analyse empirically the relationship between the gross portofolio of MFIs and macroeconomic factors. Specifically, to analyse whether a country with high level of credit portfolio provided by Micro Financial Institutions has low poverty and macroeconomic factors taken into analysis, considering the endogeneity of the gross portfolio of Micro Fianancial Institutions. The empirical evaluation and analysis is carried out through econometric evaluation using the EViews program.

A strong research tradition on the economic and social impacts of microfinance intervention has been going on. But a dearth of studies on microfinance organizational and management perspectives is there, although the social and economic impacts of this development program largely depend on its organizational setup and intervention management. ICT (decipher!!!) has been used in microfinance organizations for quite a long period of time. This study looks into the ICT-mediated material and social changes that happen in this unique type of organization and its management. The study was conducted using exploratory case study in two organizations. A number of semi-structured interviews and focus groups have been conducted at different layers of the organizations. The study found that ICT has profound implications for change in different material and social aspects of microfinance organizations. As a catalyst, ICT causes organizational structure shrank both horizontally and vertically. Because of the use of ICT a loss-of-middle phenomenon emerges in organizational structure and a tendency of centralized decision authority prevails. It helps boosting up the operational performance and transparency and lowering the long-debated interest rate of microfinance. It engenders profound changes in human resources and socio-cultural aspects of microfinance organizations. However, if protective mechanism is not adopted then the use of ICT may have detrimental effects to the social performance of microfinance. This study contributes to the knowledge domain of ICT-mediated organizational change and the microfinance policy makers by exploring the implications of ICT to different organizational aspects. It contributes by unearthing the detrimental effect of ICT to the development outcome of microfinance intervention.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been triggered unprecedented health crisis across the globe. Millions have lost their lives to the virus while many are still coping with post-covid complications. Much of the health impacts are still unknown. The horror unleashed by the virus has been a major source of stress for many people. Indeed, this situation is a difficult process for the individuals to cope up with and this resulting in psychosocial stress. This increased psychosocial stress can affect the individuals suffering from stress sensitive skin diseases. Most of the people notice heavy hair fall during quarantine. We also observed increasing cases of alopecia in our clinic for last several months among those who have recovered from COVID-19. The pandemic has been spreading in Bangladesh since March 2020 and numerous methods were taken including quarantine in order to prevent the spreading of the disease that were at the highest point in May 2020. Thus, we noticed the percentage of the patients with alopecia in 2020 is higher compared to the corresponding period of previous year.

Although studies encompassing the different aspect of microfinance like sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs), role of microfinance in poverty alleviation, etc., have enriched the literature from time to time, studies on competition and its impact on social performance of MFIs are scarce. There also exists lacking consensus as to how can competition influence MFIs’ social performance. The empirical evidence reveals duality of opinion. With information asymmetry, competition enhances borrowers’ indebtedness and lowers expected loan repayment and impeding loan quality. Furthermore, in order to overcome these problems, MFIs would engage in more screening that raises their operational costs. This encumbers the sustainability of MFIs. Thus, the socially oriented MFIs, in order to remain sustainable, start targeting the less poor borrowers. But the other view holds that as competition intensifies, it provokes the MFIs to remain committed with the social objective and to strive to retain the clients. The theory on impact of competition on the social performance of MFIs may be either positive or negative, which calls for further investigation. Against this backdrop, this article attempts to assess the impact of competition on social performance of MFIs in India and Bangladesh. The study is conducted over 53 MFIs from India and 20 MFIs from Bangladesh on which a complete set of data is available. The study period is confined to 9 years from 2009 to 2017. In order to establish the association between competition and MFIs’ social performance, panel data regression is used. The study takes into account the depth and breadth of outreach as the dependent variable. The study uses panel data regression to establish the association between competition and social performance of MFIs. The empirical analysis reveals that competition has no significant association with any of the measures of social performance. This implies that social performance in the sector is explained by other factors. Amongst the country-specific variables, it is clear from analyses that gross domestic product (GDP) and inflation are important determining factors of MFIs’ social performance. Country of origin (COO) of the MFIs is one of the determining factors for social performance as it is found to be significant for three out of the four models. It is also evident from the analyses that Bangladeshi MFIs have a greater impact on MFIs’ social performance in terms of outreach in comparison to Indian MFIs. While for percentage of female borrowers (PFB), Indian MFIs account for greater depth of outreach in comparison to Bangladesh.

Microfinance is regarded as an effective technique of poverty alleviation since it provides access to financial resources that can assist in poverty reduction by increasing financial involvement and empowerment. However, despite the fact that microfinance banks account for the vast bulk of the market in Nigeria, with over 800, their contribution to the country’s economy is less than 1%. Additionally, the primary objective of poverty eradication has not been accomplished. Thus, existing research has positioned Islamic microfinance institutions as a viable tool for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. However, Islamic microfinance banks in Nigeria continue to witness minimal development. This research investigates the challenges hindering the development of Islamic microfinance banks in Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data for this study. In addition, data reduction, coding, integration, and visualisation steps are implemented to analyse data effectively. The finding shows that several regulatory issues, such as licence procedures requiring paid-up capital, are some challenges. Likewise, awareness, misconceptions, and acceptance remain significant hindrances faced by IMFBs in Nigeria. Additionally, IMFBs face some in-house challenges, such as a lack of Islamic fintech, convenient access to the unbanked community, and human capital. Consequently, the study recommends that stakeholders in the Nigerian financial system launch public awareness campaigns about the significance of Islamic microfinance banks in promoting financial inclusion and reducing poverty.

This study proposes that cooperative efforts in microlending aid economic development and poverty alleviation in transitioning and developing countries by creating networking systems in which people can expand their businesses through working capital and community cooperation. Two field studies are used to validate the authors' claims. The first examines a microfinance cooperative structure in Bulgaria as a means to secure credit, savings, technical support and networking opportunities for cooperative members. The second looks at a cooperative microfinance institution in the Philippines that appears to create greater socio-economic growth for poor entrepreneurs as well as NGO financial viability. Both studies suggest that cooperative microlending leads to high survival rates and success of self-employed entrepreneurs by facilitating social capital through their organizational processes.

Purpose – This paper aims to develop an integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance (IsMF) for poverty reduction in Bangladesh. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been constrained by the high cost of funds, high interest rate charges and poor human resource quality of the recipients. Islamic MFIs have recently evolved with the hope of overcoming these financial, ethical and human capital deficiencies faced by the conventional financial institutions. Moreover, a good number of integrated models have been proposed to enhance the role played by Islamic MFIs. Most of these models, however, lack empirical justifications. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses survey techniques. A total of 381 respondents were included in the survey. The integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance model (IWIMM) was earlier on developed using literature and intellectual discussions. There are six constructs presenting the IWIMM, namely, waqf resources, IsMF, takaful, project financing, human resource development and poverty alleviation. In the survey instrument, 45 items represent the six constructs, but only 26 items have been retained after factor analysis. Structural equation modelling has been adopted to examine the relationship among the constructs. Findings – The results show that there are significant relationships between IsMF and takaful, waqf resources and human resource development, takaful and human resource development, IsMF and human resource development and, waqf resources and project financing. The results also indicate that poverty alleviation is possible through the integration of these constructs. Research limitations/implications – Though the paper has studied conventional and Islamic MFIs in Bangladesh, one of the populated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries and also where poverty incidence is high, further studies need to be conducted in other OIC member countries to adopt the model in line with practical and regulatory environment of those countries. Similarly, the study is based on the perception of the respondents, which limits the generalization of the result. Practical implications – The paper proposed a model that has the potential of being applied for poverty alleviation programmes in most of the OIC member states. Originality/value – The present paper has developed an IWIMM for poverty reduction.

This study mainly aims to examine whether the institutional characteristics matter for external sources of funds of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Bangladesh considering unbalanced panel data of 258 MFIs for the period of 2009-2014. The study considers four institutional characteristics of MFIs, namely, the number of branches, profitability measured by return on assets, location, and age of MFIs as well as several macroeconomic variables such as interest rate cap, economic growth, and inflation. The external sources of funds are decomposed into five sub-panels, that is, government funds, loans from commercial banks, loans from Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, donors' funds, and loans from other MFIs in order to draw more conclusive evidence. It also helps provide a comparative analysis on the effects of each institutional characteristic of MFIs on different types of external sources of funds. The study employs the Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood method which is supposed to be more appropriate in the present case for avoiding the problem associated with zero value of dependent variable. The estimation results suggest that institutional characteristics of the MFIs contribute considerably in supporting the growth and development of the industry by drawing funds from external financial sources albeit some indicators of institutional characteristics refer to adverse impact on a few external sources of funds. In the case of macroeconomic factors, market intervention through the interest rate cap limits the operation of microfinance institutions making funds scarce for them. Additionally, the comparative analysis of alternative funding both from the debt and equity sources will help policymakers and managers to adopt an appropriate policy to attain the cost-effectiveness of MFIs of Bangladesh which is one of the important policy implications of the study.

Many scholars have discussed how Islamic microfinance works to eradicate poverty. However, detailed studies reviewing the literature related to this topic in Indonesia are lacking. Using a systematic method to review, analyze, and synthesize the literature, this study highlights how IMFIs play their role in alleviating poverty in Indonesia. Seven databases of Emerald Management, Science Direct, Google Scholar (English keywords), Google Scholar (Indonesian keywords), Proquest, Scopus, and Academic Search Complete were used to gather articles published from early January 2016 to the end of 2020. From the data collected, it is found that the number of published articles with the theme “Islamic Microfinance Institutions and poverty alleviation” decreased beginning in 2019, with most of the research consisting of case studies in West Java using qualitative research methods. The impact felt by the community through the implementation of these programmes includes increasing societal welfare and reducing the number of poor micro and small entrepreneurs. This perceived influence has economic, social, and spiritual benefits that can help Indonesia’s economic and social growth. This review is expected to contribute to the evidence supporting poverty alleviation through Islamic microfinance in Indonesia. This becomes important in determining the direction of development and improvement of policies related to the problem.

ABSTRAK Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui pengaruh dari adanya ukuran bank, umur bank, aktivitas sosial, dan probabilitas terhadap pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan di sektor perbankan pada bank pembiayaan rakyat syariah di Indonesia baik secara parsial maupun simultan. Model yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah analisis regresi data panel dengan metode kuantitaif, Aplikasi statistik yang digunakan program Eviews 12. Hasil Penelitian ini menggambarkan dalam parsial bahwa umur BPRS dan CRS memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan, sedangkan dalan ukuran BPRS memiliki pengaruh negative signifikan, kemudian ROA berpengaruh negatif tidak signifikan terhadap pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan pada bank pembiayaan rakyat syariah di Indonesia. Namun, secara simultan ukuran BPRS, CRS, umur BPRS dan ROA memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan pada bank pembiayaan rakyat syariah di Indonesia dalam periode 2016-2020. Adapun keterbatasan objek dalam penelitain hanya 32 dari 163 BPRS yang terdaftar di OJK. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi evaluasi ataupun masukkan bagi regulator dan BPRS, jika pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan sebaiknya diterapkan secara transparan oleh seluruh BPRS, maka dapat meningkatkan reputasi dan kepercayaan dalan menggunakan layanan BPRS. Kata Kunci: ukuran bank, aktivitas sosial, umur bank, profitabilitas, pengungkapan informasi inklusi keuangan. ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the existence of bank size, bank age, social activity, and probability on the disclosure of financial inclusion information in the banking sector at Islamic Rural banks in Indonesia either partially or simultaneously. The model used in this study was panel data regression analysis with quantitative methods, statistical applications used by the author was the Eviews 12 program. The results of this study illustrate in partial terms that the age of IRB and CRS has a significant positive effect on disclosure of financial inclusion information, while the size of the IRB has a significant positive effect on the disclosure of financial inclusion information. significant negative, then ROA has no significant negative effect on the disclosure of financial inclusion information in Islamic Rural Banks in Indonesia. However, simultaneously the size of the IRB, CRS, the age of the IRB and ROA have a significant positive effect on the disclosure of financial inclusion information in Islamic Rural bank in Indonesia in the 2016-2020 period. As for the limitations of the object in the research, only 32 out of 163 IRB are registered with the Financial Service Authority. This research is expected to be an evaluation or input for regulators and IRB, if disclosure of financial inclusion information should be implemented transparently by all IRB, it can increase reputation and trust in using IRB services. Keywords: bank size, social activity, bank age, profitability, disclosure of financial inclusion information. REFERENCES Afrin, S., Haider, M.Z. & Islam, M.S. (2017). Impact of financial inclusion on technical efficiency of paddy farmers in Bangladesh. Agricultural Finance Review, 77(4), 484-505. https://doi.org/10.1108/AFR-06-2016-0058 Ali, M.M., Devi, A., Furqani, H. & Hamzah, H. (2020). Islamic financial inclusion determinants in Indonesia: an ANP approach. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 13(4), 727-747. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-01-2019-0007 Alm El-Din, M.M., El-Awam, A.M., Ibrahim, F.M. & Hassanein, A. (2022). 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This study examines the determinants of access to credit by the handloom weavers in Bangladesh. Using the multistage sampling technique, the primary data for the analysis were collected from 311 randomly selected handloom weavers from Sirajganj district of Bangladesh during July to December 2015. The data are analyzed by using the Logit model. The model identifies several individual, household, community, and institution-specific factors as the significant determinants of credit access. Among them, family size, farm size, work experience, saving and the flexibility in the terms and conditions of loan use increase the probability of credit access by the handloom weavers whereas the risk aversion attitude and the distance between the Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) from the commune reduce such possibility. Therefore, this study suggests that respondents should utilize the joint effort of the available family members in this labor-intensive business while undertaking rational decisions enhanced through the skills and capabilities acquired over the years. They should maintain a sufficient amount of saving to prove them eligible in repaying their credit. From the institutional perspective, it is suggested that the MFIs should provide adequate financial and non-financial services to its clientele as per their needs. Borrowers’ easy accessibility to the institutions should also be ensured. In doing so, they should open up more branches in the villages so that the door to door services are available to the borrowers. It is expected that these recommendations will help in improving the credit access by the handloom weavers in Bangladesh.